Christmas Drabble series
Title: Ghostwriter
Author: Aussie
Rated: T
(300) word Christmas A/U series
Laura watched as Bill indulgently twirled Kara toward the band, only capturing her hand at the last moment to reel her back to his side.
“He can dance,” Elosha noted, settling into the chair Bill had recently vacated. “Wonder what other hidden talents he has,” her friend added saucily with a wink, causing Laura to promptly choke on the wine from which she’d just taken a sip.
“So, Christmas day hasn’t been canceled?” Elosha asked once both women had composed themselves. “Remember the first Christmas you spent with Bill?”
Laura did. Both she and Bill had been invited to an advertiser’s pre-Christmas dinner. She’d used the relaxed atmosphere to confront him over Kara’s second book.
“It’s a white hot mess, Bill. Lee is the only editor I trust to deal with it. And her.”
“Second books are vital,” he’d agreed pleasantly. So pleasantly she’d been flummoxed. She had expected an argument. Even Lee had expected an argument.
Not that she ever minded arguing with Bill, even from the beginning. No one dared to stand up to her the way he did. Their verbal back and forth invigorated her.
“But it means you’re alone for Christmas,” she’d blurted out, disconcerted.
“Perhaps we can spend it together,” he’d suggested smoothly.
“I really want to check on sales on Christmas day. Foreign markets, time zone differences,” she’d rattled off. “I can’t wait to study the data.”
“You don’t want to indulge in something a little more traditional? I’m cooking turkey for friends. I think I can cater for you too. You can always stay after everyone else leaves. We can... Study... The data then.”
Why hadn’t she noticed the pause in that sentence at the time?
“He was offering more, Laura, even then,” Elosha said now. “You just didn’t want to see it.”
Author: Aussie
Rated: T
(300) word Christmas A/U series
Laura watched as Bill indulgently twirled Kara toward the band, only capturing her hand at the last moment to reel her back to his side.
“He can dance,” Elosha noted, settling into the chair Bill had recently vacated. “Wonder what other hidden talents he has,” her friend added saucily with a wink, causing Laura to promptly choke on the wine from which she’d just taken a sip.
“So, Christmas day hasn’t been canceled?” Elosha asked once both women had composed themselves. “Remember the first Christmas you spent with Bill?”
Laura did. Both she and Bill had been invited to an advertiser’s pre-Christmas dinner. She’d used the relaxed atmosphere to confront him over Kara’s second book.
“It’s a white hot mess, Bill. Lee is the only editor I trust to deal with it. And her.”
“Second books are vital,” he’d agreed pleasantly. So pleasantly she’d been flummoxed. She had expected an argument. Even Lee had expected an argument.
Not that she ever minded arguing with Bill, even from the beginning. No one dared to stand up to her the way he did. Their verbal back and forth invigorated her.
“But it means you’re alone for Christmas,” she’d blurted out, disconcerted.
“Perhaps we can spend it together,” he’d suggested smoothly.
“I really want to check on sales on Christmas day. Foreign markets, time zone differences,” she’d rattled off. “I can’t wait to study the data.”
“You don’t want to indulge in something a little more traditional? I’m cooking turkey for friends. I think I can cater for you too. You can always stay after everyone else leaves. We can... Study... The data then.”
Why hadn’t she noticed the pause in that sentence at the time?
“He was offering more, Laura, even then,” Elosha said now. “You just didn’t want to see it.”